Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 2: 15/17

なるべく
As ~ as possible, Wherever practicable

Structure
なるべく + (Action) Phrase
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
成る
Information
Combining 成(な)る (to become), and 可(べ)く (to be permissible), なるべく is an expression that literally means ‘as each opportunity becomes permissible/presents itself’. This is often simply translated as ‘as much as possible’, or ‘whenever possible’.
なるべく (usually written in hiragana) is regularly used before an entire phrase, to express that (A) should happen as much as possible.
  • 外(そと)に出(で)かけとき なるべくドアカギかけてください
    When you go out, lock your doors as often as possible.
  • 仕事(しごと)疲(つか)れていてもなるべく夕食(ゆうしょく)は食(た)べてください
    Even if you are tired from work, please eat dinner whenever possible.
Due to なるべく expressing the ‘possibility’, or ‘having the opportunity’ to do something, it will sound considerably softer/more polite than できるだけ. できるだけ is a similar expression which more directly states that something will be done ‘to the full extent possible’.
  • 明日(あした)できるだけ早(はや)く来(き)
    Tomorrow, please make sure to come as early as possible.
  • 明日(あした)なるべく早(はや)く来(き)
    Tomorrow, please come as early as possible.
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インフルエンザかかった時(とき)なるべくゆっくり休(やす)むほうがいい
When you catch the flu, you should rest as much as possible.
なるべく早(はや)め連絡(れんらく)してください
Please contact me as soon as possible.
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なるべく正直(しょうじき)話(はな)してください
Please speak as honestly as possible.
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Books
Tobira
Page 73
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 55